Karnataka Pollution Control Board golden jubilee celebrations: Farmers told to avoid the usage of rubber waste as fuel in jaggery making

Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Chairperson and MLA for Malavalli P.M. Narendraswamy on Tuesday urged farmers and jaggery producers to stop using old tyres and rubber waste as fuel in jaggery-making units, as the practice releases toxic smoke. He advised them to use sugarcane husk instead, which is traditionally utilised in the process.

At the golden jubilee celebrations of the KSPCB, organised jointly by the district administration, zilla panchayat, and the board at the Mandya University grounds, Mr. Narendraswamy said that treatment plants have been installed to process industrial wastewater from large, medium, and small factories in Mandya. The treated water is being reused within industrial premises, he added.

He said that KSPCB’s golden jubilee campaign aims to raise awareness on pollution control right from rural areas to the State level and added that the board regularly monitors the water quality of river Cauvery and its tributaries, analysing samples in its regional laboratories.

Minister in charge of Mandya district N. Cheluvarayaswamy, who inaugurated the celebrations, emphasised the need to educate children and students on the ill-effects of environmental pollution. It is the duty of every citizen to protect the environment for future generations; creating awareness among students will go a long way in safeguarding their future, he said.

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy lauded the initiative to distribute menstrual cups to women in the district as part of efforts to make Mandya a ‘pad-free district’, calling it a commendable step for both women’s health and environmental protection.

MLA for Mandya P. Ravikumar described the Cauvery as the lifeline of Mandya and expressed concern over its pollution caused by resorts and hotels along its banks. He urged the KSPCB to take strict action against local bodies responsible for such violations.

During the event, menstrual cups were distributed to ASHA workers, teachers, and women’s groups, while individuals who had contributed to environmental protection were felicitated with the Indira Priyadarshini awards.

Dinesh Gooli Gowda and Madhu G. Made Gowda, MLCs; C.D. Gangadhar, Mysore Sugar Company Chairman; Nayeem, Urban Development Authority Chairman; Kumar, Deputy Commissioner; K.R. Nandini, Zilla Panchayat CEO; Mallikarjun Baladandi, Superintendent of Police; B.C. Shivananda Murthy, Additional Deputy Commissioner; and other officials were present.